Intermittent drive mechanism



2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 23, 1930. F. R. CHESTER INTERMITTENT DRIVE MECHANISM Fiied March 5, 1927 INVENzpR if A TTORNEYS mm, NW wm Sept. 23, 11930. F. R. CHI-:STER

INTERMITTENT DRIVE MECHANISM 1 Filed March 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Us u) La so INVENTOR. ma

Y ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK R. CHESTER, F` NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO CHESTERFIEDD CONTROL COM- PANY, OF DOVER, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE Application med March 5,

This invention relates to an improved ini@ provide such a device as will consume a minimum amount of current. f

Other objects of the invention will 1n part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exempliiied in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which I Figure 1 is a partly Sectional side view of one form of mechanism embodying the improved construction of the present invention; F 2 is a similar view taken from the opposite side ;r

Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically the circuit involved; and y Fig. 5 shows a form of circuit-breaker which may be 'embodied in themechanism.

In the embodiment illustrated a pair of.

spaced side walls 10 are retained against movement with respect to each other by means of cross-bars 11V extending therebetween. These walls mountA a-base or shelf '12 and a rotatable shaft 13. In the present instance a disk 14 is secured to this shaft and is formed with a series of notches 14 providing in aggregate an annular ratchet.

k Mounted tooscillate upon this shaft is a lever having one arm 15 extending outwardly and to a point beyond the periphery of the disk 14; its opposite arm 16 being comparatively short and pivotally secured to the upper end. of a pair of spaced links 17, the lower end of 1927. 'ScrialNa 173,194.

which is pivotally secured to a lever 18, in turn having its inner end rockingly mount-ed upon a shaft 19 extending between the side walls 10. Mounted upon the base 12 is an electromagnet 20, above which an armature 21 is movably mounted by having the inner end thereof rockingly secured to a shaft 22 extending between the side Walls, the outer end of this armature being link-connected as at 23 to the lever 18.

Thus it is obvious that when the circuit is closed through the electromagnet 20 the armature 21 will be attracted; and by means of the leverage or linkage system employed the relatively short travel of the armature will be multiplied, resulting in a pronounced travel of the outer arm 15 of the lever which is mounted to rock upon the shaft 13.

In order that this, movement may result in motion being imparted to the shaft 13 'the outer end of the arm 15 may carry a spring-I pressed pawl 24, which overlies the periphery of the disk14 and is engageable with one of the notches 14 to prevent relative movement of these elements in one direction; it being obvious that in the embodiment illusftrated, and as viewed in Fig. 1, when the arm 15 moves in a clockwise direction lost motion will result between the pawl and ratchet. In the present instance a spring 25 of the contraction type has its upper end secured to the arm 15 and its lower end xedly connected as at 26 to the side walls ofthe motor. Furthermore, it is preferred that a pawl 27 be carried by the side walls and, consequently, bear within one of the notches 14 when they come to sequentially lie adjacent its outer end, thus preventing-as in'F ig. 1 a clockwise movement of the disk 14. It will also be observed that, as shown, the disk carries a series of pins' 28 corresponding in number to the number of notches therein, and the lever 18 rigidly su ports a hook-shaped member 29, which, asy sliown in Fig. 2, bears against one of these pins to prevent clockwise movement of the disk and shaft 13 (as viewed in Fig.1) with the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

At this time it will be understood that with the parts in position movement of the shaft 13 i the same adjacent the bowed port-ion iu either direction is prevented, tor the rcason that the pawl 27 will prevent clockwise movement thereof, and the pawl 29 counterclockwise movement. However, it the circuit through the electromagnet is closed the arm will swing upwardly to a point at which the pawl 24 engages the next succeeding' notch ot the annular series. During such swinging movement it will be obvious. that the pawl provided by the lioolcshaped inember 29 will niove to a point at which it no longer intersects the path ot travel of the pin 28 adjacent which it lies,` and that movement of the disk and shaft 13 incident to the lirictional contact of the periphery ot the latterV with the pawl 24 will be prevented by `virtue of the pawl 27. the circuit is now interrupted vthe spring V w`ll move the arm 15 downwardly, carrying with it the disk and Vshaft 13; the hook-shaped member again assuming the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and acting as a stop to the movement of the disk through a distance greater than the distance between two notches.

ln the illustrated type of machine, in or-V der that Vthe circuit may be rbroken immediately upon the pawl 24 shifting to a position at which it engages the next notch ot the series, a circuit-breaker is provided which may be of the type shown in Fig. 1, or schematically and diagrainniatically illustrated in Fig. 5. In the first of these figures the numeral 30 indicates a lead connected with one j of the coils of the electromagnet, which coil is connected with the second coil, and trom which latter a lead 31 extends. This, lead is connected with a spring member 32 having` a.

bowed portion 33. A block of suitable insulating material 3e is mounted between the walls 10 and pivotally carries between arms 34E a lever 35 formed ot conductingmaterial and having its rear end in sliding engagement with the spring' 32, which bears against thereof. The forward end ot this leveireiitends between Ythe link 17` and may be engaged by either cross-pins 36 or 37, the 'former acting as a stop and shitting member, and the latter being ot conducting material and connected with a lead 38.

Presuining that current is flowing through the leads 30%38, and with the position of the parts as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be obvious that the arm 15, as atoredescribed, will swing upwardly. During such swing! Ving movement the lever 35, by virtue ot contacting with the pin 37, will be swung downf wardly, such movement being resisted by the spring 32. At a certain interval et the fnovement of this lever, however, that end thereof which is engaged by the spring will pass the dead center of the curved portion 33 thereof, and thereupon the spring, instead ot resisting the movement of the lever, will accelerate it to such an extent that the end thereof which engages the pin 37 will nieve out of contact therewith and snap into contact with the pin 36, thus interrupting the circuit. As the parts assume their normal position under the influence of the spring 25 or other revision to reestablish such'normal position, the pin 3G will bear against the lever until the rear end of the latter again moves past the dead center portion ot the spring and snaps into contact with the pin 37, so that when current again flows through the leads 30-38 a repetition of the foregoing' operation will occur.

In the second form of circuit-hreakcr, shown in 5, by means ot which the same result may be achieved, the links 17 or other suitable moving portion ot the n'iotoi carry aU-shapedineniber 39, least a portion of `which is formed ot conducting inaterial, and one arm et() of which is preferably shorter than the second arm 41 thereof. This member is pivotally mounted as at ft2, and a spring 43 connected therewith may serve normally to tilt the arms thereof at angle to either side ot the longitudinal axis oli' the links 17 or other elements supporting this member. One lead 44 is connected with this memhenand a lead 45 is connected with a contact arm 46 mounted adjacent the path of' travel of the arm ll0, and the position of which Contact arm may be established by a yielding anchorage 17. Mounted adjacent the path oi travel of the arm l1 is a plate L13 carrying` spaced pins t9 disposed one ad jacent each ot the upper and lower edges of the arm 41, and the plate may be shifted outdly or inwardly, as, tor example, by an adjusting mechanism 50. TheV spring L13 will lll() act to hold the arm in contact with the incinbei 46, thus maintaining the circuit closed, andthe circuit will continue to be energized during' the descent .of the links 1T and until the arm Ll1 has engaged the lowermost pin 4:9 'for a suiiicient length oi' time during such descent to cause the arm e() to swing clear of the contact member 1G. A quick break ot the electrical connection between these parts is assured, first, by the spring fil-3, and second, bythe spring 47; it being obvious that incident to the adjustment aliorded at 50 the interval of contact between the energized members oit the circuit-breaker mav be varied by shift-ing the plate 43 inwardly or outwardly, as desired, and the length evt the stroke of the armature may be varied accordingly.

Secured to the disk 1st as at 51 is a second circuit-maker or breaker, including in the embodiment illustrated a plate 52 having radially-extending contact arms 53 corrc` As willbe observed turthermore in this'ligure, according to the' present construction the periphery of the` plate 52 is grooved, as has been indicated at 54, and a block 55 mountsbrushes 56, 57, 58,

the first of which extends, in the present instance, into this groove- The second brush isarranged in the path of travely of the contact arms 53 of the innermost series and the -third is disposed inthe path or" travel of the contact arms of the outermost series. Thus, by this construction or its equivalent the plate V52 will at all times be in electrical contact with' the brush 56; and when the parts are in a position of rest, an arm 53101:

one or the other series will be in contact vsourceV of electrical energy, the latter lead being continued in the'form of the lead 30 and having a branch lead 65 with which a heating coil 66 encirclingythe thermostatic strip 59 is connected, this lead being continued as at 67 to the contact member 61. The lead 63 extends to and is connected with the brush 56.

The thermostatic strip 59 is so construct-` ed and disposed with respect to the contact members 61-62 that, when under normal temperature, it will engage the contact 62. On the other hand., under the action of heat from the coil 66 it will move to engage the contact 61. Considering the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. 1 to 4, with current flowing through the leads 63-64, the current will flow from the lead 64 through lead 30, electromagnet 20, lead 31, the circuit-breaker (the parts of which are in closed position), lead 38, thermostatic strip V59, contacts -61, brush 57, a contact arm 53 of the innermost series, plate 52, brush 56, and so through lead 63. Additionally, current will flow from lead 64 through lead 65, the heating coil ,66, lead 67, brush 57, plate 52, brush 56 and lead 63, thus closing the circuit through the heater and forcing the thermostatic strip to a position at which the contacts 60-61 are engaged as aforedescribed.

As a consequence of this closing' of the ci cuit, the electro-magnet will act to attrae the armature 2l, resulting in an upward movement of the arm 15 and breaking o the circuit through the electro-magnet and a downward movement of the arm 15 translated into rotation of the disk Maud shaft 18 secured thereto, all as aforedescribed. Simultaneously with such rotation, and while the circuit-breaker is still open, the contact arm 53 of the inner series which has been engaged by the brush 57 will move to a position at which these parts are no longer in electrical contact, a succeeding arm of the outermost series moving into conta-ct with the brush 58. Under these conditions, and with the closing of the. primary circuit-breaker, it will be obvious that Aa circuit will not be completed, 'for they reasonv that the contact is broken between the brush and the arm 53 of the innermost series. This will have the secondary result ot' current not passing through the lead 65 and the heating coil 66, andthe thermostatic strip 59 will accordinglycool `and swing back to its normal position, at which its contact 66 engages the contact Under such conditions current will flowv through the brush 58, acontact arm 53 or". the outermost series, brush 56 and lead 63, whereupon the electromagnet once more will be energized, the disk 14 and shaft V13 willbe rotated,'and the position of the parts shown inthe drawin will be reestablished, resulting in the heatercoil 66 causing the thermostatic strip contact/.60 to move toward the contact 61 to repeat'this operation ad inlinitum.

nThus, in the embodiment illustrated the interval between actuations oi the shaft 13 is governed by the time necessary for the contact 60 carried by the thermostatic strip to move out of engagement' with one ol` the adjacent contacts and into contact with the other, thec'ircuit being closed by means ol.

these contacts and beingbroken by the primary breaher aforedescribed; the` secondary breaker embracing, in the present instance, elements 52 to 58 inclusive, and serving, first to' prevent a reestablishment ot the circuit upon the substantially innnediate closing ol the first circuit-breaker, and second, controlling the current flow through the heating coil. In this connection it will be understood that the secondary breaker includes two switch mechanisms operating alternately or inversely, i. e., one being open when the other is closed.

'Obviously, a. drivingmechanism of this type lends itself to numerous diiPierent uses, and', according to the present embodiment, the'movement of theshaft beyond predeter mined mechanisms provided for this purpose. The motor herewith suggested will be. drawing an appreciable amount of current only during that interval of time when `the arm 15 is being swung upwardly, and vthis interval preferably will be only -a minute proportion f ofthe total period of time during 'which the mechanism is operated. Y

Thus, among others, the objects of the. invention have vbeen accomplished, and since certain changes may be vmade inthe *above cons'tructionvand different embodiments of 1:

positions is prevented by the pawl the invention could be made without' departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that Vall matter contained in the above description tuated by said magnet to drive said shaft,

circuit-breakers connected withV each other and with said magnet, means connecting said shaft with said circuit-breakers to operate the same successively, a circuit-closingmemy ber connected with said breakers an d magnet and including a thermostaticv strip, means connected therewith to close the circuit, and a heating` means adjacent said strip and c0ntrolled by one of said circuit-breakers.

2. An intermittent drive mechanism, including a shaft, an electromagnet, means actuated by said magnet to drive said shaft,

circuit-breakers connected with each other and with said magnet, means,l connecting said shaft with said circuit-breakers to operate the same successively, a circuitclosingl member` connected with said breakers and magnet and including;l a thermostatic strip, a pair of spaced contacts, means as sociated with said strip to close the circuit through said electromagnet by engaging with either of contacts, and a heating' coil associated with said strip and connected with one of said breakers.

An intermittent drive mechanism, including an electromagnet, a shaft, means connected with said magnet to be actuated thereby and drive the shaft, a circuit-breaker connected with said shaft to be operated thereby, means for closing the circuitbreaker, a thermostatic strip, a second circuitbreaker operated by said shaft, means controlled by said thermostatic strip connected with said electromagnet to close the circuit therethrough. and a heating` coil in associa tion with said strip and connected with said second breaker' to control the operation of said strip.

L An intermittent drive mechanism, inchidiin),- a rotatable shaft, an electromagnet, means connecting said magnet with. said sha-ft to drive the latter, a circuit-breaker connected with said magnet and said last-named means to be actuated by the latter to interrupt the circuit through the magnet, a second interrupting mechanism connected with said lshaft and includinga pair of alternately said circuit breakers to be periodically enern` gized therethrough, and said circuit break ers being connected to said motor.

6. An intermittent drive mechanism including a motor, a thermostatically operated switch, shaft forming a part of said motor, two series of circuit breakers alternately operated by said shaft, a heating element disposed adjacent the thermostatic member of said switch and connected to one series lof said circuit breakers to be periodically enerlg'ized therethrough, said circuit breakers beinn' connected to said motor, and a further y switch operated by said motor to render said rst named switch inoperative during its circuit-opening operations.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK R. CHESTER. 

